A FAMILY firm that employed a handyman who was electrocuted after carrying out a job at the home of one of his bosses has been cleared of breaching health and safety rules.

Francis Brown Ltd was charged under the Electricity at Work Regulations following a fatal electric shock suffered by Les Buller in the grounds of one of the company’s directors, Simon Brown.

The steel fabricating company was prosecuted by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) over allegations it breached rules because it did not employ a specialist who had the necessary technical knowledge or experience.

A trial at Teesside Crown Court in Middlesbrough expected to last seven days was thrown out after three by the presiding judge who decided that the company was not in charge of overseeing Mr Buller’s work when he died on March 15, 2012.

The 59-year-old father of four from Roseworth in Stockton was using basic tools and had no formal qualifications in electrical work when he was rewiring a barn and fitting a new socket at Moor House Farm, Stillington, near Stockton.

A spokeswoman for the HSE said: “In court on Wednesday the judge directed the jury to deliver a not guilty verdict to the charge, as it was considered the company was not in charge of the work activity and the defendants were acquitted.

“HSE will always take prosecution action where we feel there is a case to answer and it is in the public interest but we accept the decision of the court.”